04 Apr 09 Caring for your outdoor furniture
There are a lot of different outdoor furniture and most of them needs minimal care and maintenance but there are some that still need some care and cleaning to keep it looking as new as when you first bought it. Caring for your outdoor furniture is not all that difficult too as you don’t really need to go all out to polish it or get it reupholstered.
If you have a set of outdoor wicker furniture that is durable, then you don’t have to worry much about wear and tear but more on cleaning up and keeping it dust free. This is so that you don’t end up with grimy and dusty furniture that your guests will be appalled with. Just some minor dusting and your furniture is more than presentable for your guests.
Cleaning out the dust from woven wicker furniture is fairly easy as you only need the vacuum cleaner with its brush attachment. All you need to do is to brush following the direction of the weave to suck up all the accumulated dust. As for the small corners and tight crevices, you will need to use smaller brushes such as old toothbrushes or paintbrushes with short bristles.
After getting rid of the dust, it is time that you get rid of the oily build up, stains or any unnoticed food spillage. You only need to use a damp rag and mild soapy water to do that. Using the rag, wipe all the surfaces of the furniture and then after that, rinse the rag in clear water and wipe all the soapy residue away.
If your set of outdoor furniture is teak, you may need to check on its quality and see if it needs a new layer of finishing to keep it at optimum shininess. Of course, if it is still nice and new, you only need to keep it clean with a damp cloth to wipe out all the dust and grime. Now, if your furniture is made of natural wicker, you may have to do more to keep it nice and new.
Natural wicker tends to dry out in low humidity areas so to maintain the moisture in the wicker, you can rinse the pieces in clear water. At the same time you can use a hose to wash it out. Then to dry it, use a dry rag to wipe it down and then let the water drain completely outside. Do not bring the furniture inside if it was not completely dried or else it will spoil.
Tags: furniture, home decoration, House & Home, interior decor, outdoor furniture, outdoor wicker furniture, patio, wicker
04 Apr 09 Window Covers – Energize Your Home
Window shutters can be made to match both customary and fashionable interior decor. It can be fixed in any room. Window covers provide effective and sufficient insulation. It blocks the harmful ultra violet rays entering the house. It can control the bright sunlight that comes inside the house. Windows look pleasant with window covers.
During Queen Elizabeth times window shutters were used to close the lower portion of the window. It was made with solid boards. It allows fresh air and light into the room. When not in use it was folded and kept as decorative wall panels. Late in 19th century it was used as a decorative piece.
Window covers add value to the house with their timeless stylishness. These shutters were always in trend. When planning to redo the interior of the house, it is worth to upgrade the windows with plantation shutters. These shutters give an exclusive look for the house and add up its artistic appearance.
It is a real challenge for the interior decorators to use these shutters to dress sliding glass doors. They are ideal for houses with kids and pets. It is more durable and gives a perfect look for the house in place of French doors.
Plantation shutters that provide endless utility are available in wood and in vinyl. These shutters are available in different price range to suit the customers’ need. Vinyl shutters are less expensive and it can be made to look like wood shutters. It comes in different design, size and color to suit different needs. Customized window shutters of your own design, color and louver size can be made to blend your interior decoration. Shutters can be made in unique shapes like angles and arches to give an elite look. Window shutters can be installed either by you or by the supplier.
While ordering for customized plantation shutters insist on the following points: Quality premium finish Use quality wood like Red Alder Color to blend with your interior decor Use water reducible polish and acrylic latex for vibrant colors and stain finish.
Synthetic shutters are also available. The maintenance of this shutter is easy and it is highly durable and lightweight. Synthetic shutters are best for using in kitchen and bathrooms, as it is non-toxic, water resistant and fire retardant. Synthetic shutters can be given wood finish to synch with the traditional interior decor. Synthetic shutters are gaining popularity due to the above advantages.
Read full articles about plantation shutters and glass panel interior shutters available here at this web.
Tags: door, home improvements, house, House & Home, interior decor, interior design, plantation shutters, room, window shutters
